Legal News 03/2008 (Page 18)

Disbarred lawyer David Mazanec sentenced to prison for stealing settlement (The Plain Dealer)

A fiery crash nine years ago stole Katherine Frank's ability to walk. When she received an $800,000 settlement stemming from the crash, her estate lawyer stole half the money.(Mar 21, 2008)

Trial set for lawyer accused in illegal donations to John Edwards (WAVY 10)

DETROIT (AP) - A federal judge in Detroit has rejected a request by a high-profile lawyer to dismiss a criminal indictment stemming from donations made to the 2004 presidential campaign of John Edwards.(Mar 21, 2008)

Skakel's Former Attorney Publishes Memoir (NBC 30 Connecticut)

Defense attorney Mickey Sherman, who lost Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel's murder trial, defends his unorthodox ways in a book being published next month.(Mar 21, 2008)

Lawyer guilty of salon extortion (Concord Monitor)

A Manchester lawyer who threatened to sue a Concord salon for pricing haircuts differently for men and women and then took money to settle the matter was found guilty of theft by extortion.(Mar 21, 2008)

N.H. lawyer's settlement offer deemed extortion (Boston Globe)

A lawyer who says he was just trying to settle a case has been convicted of extortion.(Mar 21, 2008)

Lawyer's Settlement Offer Deemed Extortion (WMUR New Hampshire)

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- A lawyer who said he was just trying to settle a case has been convicted of extortion. Daniel Hynes, of Manchester, told a Concord hair salon to pay him $1,000 15 months ago or face a lawsuit because the different prices it charged for men and women were discriminatory.(Mar 21, 2008)

Attorney Has License Revoked (KWWL Iowa)

The Iowa Supreme Court has revoked the license of an Des Moines-area attorney. Allan Rauch of Windsor Heights allegedly deceived a client and the district court by practicing with a suspended license.(Mar 21, 2008)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Jere Beasley was nearly broke and looking for work after getting whipped in a race for governor 30 years ago. Since then, the rural Alabama lawyer has re-emerged as a powerhouse plaintiffs' attorney whose firm counts more than $20 billion in verdicts and settlements.(Mar 21, 2008)

Attorney General Michael Mukasey said on Friday he was open to compromise with Congress on renewing an anti-terrorism spy bill that has been deadlocked over whether telephone companies should be shielded from lawsuits.(Mar 21, 2008)

Prominent Nevada attorney Herbert Jones dies at 93 (KVBC Las Vegas)

Longtime Nevada attorney Herb Jones, a founding partner of the prominent Jones Vargas law firm, died Wednesday at home. He was 93.(Mar 21, 2008)

U.S. Attorney General would consider spy bill deal (The Star)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey said on Friday he was open to compromise with Congress on renewing an anti-terrorism spy bill that has been deadlocked over whether telephone companies should be shielded from lawsuits.(Mar 21, 2008)

Jayalalithaa's ex-lawyer joins DMK (The Times of India)

AIADMK supremo's former lawyer N Jothi - who quit the party in a huff a few days ago - on Friday formally joined DMK in presence of party president Karunanidhi.(Mar 21, 2008)

A lawyer for a casino owner charged with lying about alleged mob ties said the case against his client relies heavily on lies told by a reputed mob boss, a newspaper reported Friday.(Mar 21, 2008)

Hobbs lawyer appointed district judge (News West 9 Midland)

Associated Press - March 21, 2008 6:25 PM ET SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A Hobbs lawyer has been appointed to a state district judgeship in southeastern New Mexico.(Mar 21, 2008)

Attorney general to issue opinion on whether S.C. should sue in fed license fight (Spartanburg Herald-Journal)

COLUMBIA The state attorney general is preparing an opinion on whether the South Carolina would have a case if it decided to sue the federal government over new driver's licenses.(Mar 21, 2008)

Hobbs lawyer appointed district judge (KOB-TV Albuquerque)

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A Hobbs lawyer has been appointed to a state district judgeship in southeastern New Mexico. Gov. Richardson named William Shoobridge to replace William McBee, who retired earlier this month in the 5th Judicial District.(Mar 22, 2008)

Attorney Represents Family Of Teen Shot By Police With Taser Gun (WSOC-TV Charlotte)

Eyewitness News has learned a high-profile attorney now represents the family of a boy shot by police with a Taser gun.(Mar 22, 2008)

New York, March 22: An Indian American lawyer who claims he was defamed by an episode of popular crime drama "Law & Order" can press on with his $15 million libel suit against the TV show's producers, a US judge has ruled.(Mar 22, 2008)

State Attorney Candidates Face Off In Debate (WJXT Jacksonville)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Next year, for the first time in nearly two decades, there will be a new state attorney in Jacksonville. Angela Corey and Jay Plotkin will both appear on the ballot this August. At one time both candidates worked under State Attorney Harry Shorstein.(Mar 22, 2008)

Attorney's Mission Is to Erase the Stigma of Depression (Law.com)

Despite a landmark 1991 study by Johns Hopkins University, in which lawyers ranked first in incidence rate for clinical depression among 105 professions surveyed, attorney Daniel T. Lukasik says, "Lawyers don't talk about it." So he set himself a mission. He helped create the Committee to Assist Lawyers with Depression, built a Web site offering information on the disorder geared to the ...(Mar 22, 2008)

ST. PAUL — A defense attorney from St. Paul is taking a shot at a seat in Congress, but he’ll have to unseat four-term Democratic incumbent Betty McCollum to get there.(Mar 22, 2008)

Affordable Housing sues attorney (The Post and Courier)

Having exhausted its legal appeals and facing a roughly $2 million judgment awarded to a building contractor, Charleston Affordable Housing is suing its former attorney for malpractice. The now-inactive nonprofit group that once built affordable homes in Charleston claims attorney Frank M....(Mar 22, 2008)

City lawyer may face contempt charge (Detroit News)

The city's top lawyer and its deputy director of human resources have been ordered to appear in court Monday to say why they should not be held in contempt for apparently failing to cooperate with Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy's investigation.(Mar 22, 2008)

The last defendant in the bribery case that brought down powerful plaintiffs' attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs — his son — pleaded guilty Friday in a deal with federal prosecutors . (Mar 22, 2008)

Alabama lawyer is South's newest tort king (Houston Chronicle)

Jere Beasley was nearly broke and looking for work after getting whipped in a race for governor 30 years ago. Since then, the Alabama lawyer has re-emerged as a powerhouse plaintiffs' attorney. (Mar 22, 2008)

Attorney: Santee chief will be cleared (The Times and Democrat)

The attorney for Santee Police Chief Kenneth McCaster said the chief will be fully exonerated of charges following his arrest on misdemeanor traffic violations on Thursday.(Mar 22, 2008)

Attorney general warns of electric bill scam (Rapid City Journal)

Attorney General Larry Long is alerting consumers of an electric bill scam that has surfaced in South Dakota.(Mar 22, 2008)

DeNaples’ lawyer says case hangs on lies of a mobster (The Scranton Times-Tribune)

HARRISBURG — A lawyer for a casino owner charged with lying about alleged mob ties said the case against his client relies heavily on lies told by a reputed mob boss, a newspaper reported Friday.(Mar 22, 2008)

Lawyer: Missing man healthy, moved (Belleville News-Democrat)

A lawyer for a Chicago businessman who hasn't been seen by his family since last fall says the man is now living in Hong Kong with his second wife.(Mar 22, 2008)

Drug-related cases continue to account for about 40 percent of all the felonies charged by prosecutors in Kane County, State's Attorney John Barsanti told county officials this week.. (Mar 22, 2008)

Former rural Alabama lawyer now a powerhouse (Corpus Christi Caller-Times)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Jere Beasley was nearly broke and looking for work after getting whipped in a race for governor 30 years ago. Since then, the rural Alabama lawyer has re-emerged as a powerhouse plaintiffs' attorney whose firm counts more than $20 billion in verdicts and settlements.(Mar 22, 2008)

Attorney cites examples of alleged false testimony details. A lawyer for a casino owner charged with lying about alleged mob ties said the case against his client relies heavily on lies told by a reputed mob boss, a newspaper reported Friday.(Mar 22, 2008)

REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN WATERBURY -- Ousted F&S Oil President Christopher Carr is in Connecticut, and is in contact with state officials through his attorney, his lawyer said Tuesday. Brian E. Spears, a Westport attorney representing Carr, said he is regularly in contact with Carr, but would not disclose his location, or comment on the demise of F&S Oil. More details in Wednesday's ...(Mar 22, 2008)

MANILA, Philippines -- Food and beverage conglomerate San Miguel Corporation (SMC) assured the Sumilao farmers of ownership over 144 hectares of disputed land in Bukidnon over the Holy Week break and has agreed to return the property to them, the farmers’ lawyer said Saturday.(Mar 22, 2008)

David Zachary Scruggs, the son of the recently disgraced trial lawyer Richard F. Scruggs, has agreed to plead guilty in a bribery case involving a state judge.(Mar 22, 2008)

Attorney: Player's father victim himself in theft case (Lexington Herald-Leader)

A defense attorney says that a University of Kentucky basketball player's father who faces a theft charge is a victim himself. Jeff Carter, father of junior center Jared Carter, is accused of scamming a couple of $4,800 for season basketball tickets. Jeff Carter was indicted on a theft charge and being a persistent felony offender. He pleaded not guilty. Attorney Tucker Richardson says Jeff ...(Mar 22, 2008)

Attorney general to issue opinion on whether S.C. should sue in fed license fight (Spartanburg Herald-Journal)

COLUMBIA The state attorney general is preparing an opinion on whether the South Carolina would have a case if it decided to sue the federal government over new driver's licenses.(Mar 22, 2008)

REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN WATERBURY -- Ousted F&S Oil President Christopher Carr is in Connecticut, and is in contact with state officials through his attorney, his lawyer said Tuesday. Brian E. Spears, a Westport attorney representing Carr, said he is regularly in contact with Carr, but would not disclose his location, or comment on the demise of F&S Oil. More details in Wednesday's ...(Mar 22, 2008)

Johnson County commissioners have summoned District Attorney Phill Kline to discuss the hiring of a special prosecutor ... (KAKE)

Commissioners worry about Kline's hiring of a former co-worker for the independent probe of Paul Morrison, who's accused of misconduct while having an affair with a subordinate. Morrison resigned his post as attorney general after admitting to the affair, but he has denied other allegations.(Mar 22, 2008)

Activist Lawyer With Ties To Chinese Dissident Missing (Law Fuel)

An activist lawyer with close ties to a jailed Chinese dissident is missing, a rights group said Friday. Check out the LawFuel Jobs Network at (link) law-jobs.asp(Mar 22, 2008)

Texas Attorney Accused Of Making Obscene Gesture (KWTX-TV Waco)

A defense attorney in Austin found himself on the other side of the law after reportedly making a "masturbatory" gesture in Court.(Mar 22, 2008)

A lawsuit that challenged a key source of funding for the construction of the $454 million Petco Park has been settled in favor of the plaintiff, a former port commissioner who has demanded — and is receiving — payment from the city of San Diego to cover his attorney’s fees.(Mar 23, 2008)